This Breathalyzer Detects the Flu

A scientist at the University of Texas at Arlington has invented a hand-held breathalyzer that can detect the flu virus.

The device-developed by Perena Gouma, a professor in UTA's materials science and engineering department (pictured)-works just like the breathalyzers police use to test blood alcohol level, according to a news release from the school. A patient simply exhales into it once, and semiconductor sensors in the device can "isolate biomarkers associated with the flu virus and indicate whether or not the patient has the flu," the school says.

The device could eventually wind up on drug store shelves. The idea is to help people get diagnosed earlier, so they can take advantage of medicine that can treat the flu in its early stages, and ultimately prevent the flu from spreading. It can be used by ordinary people, and may be able to detect the flu virus as well as tests done in a doctor's office.

The technology has the potential to detect other diseases in the future as well. "I think that technology like this is going to revolutionize personalized diagnostics," Gouma said. "This will allow people to be proactive and catch illnesses early, and the technology can easily be used to detect other diseases, such as Ebola virus disease, simply by changing the sensors."

Gouma's research was funded by the National Science Foundation. Those interested in learning more can check out an article about the device, authored by its inventor, in the January 2017 edition of the journal Sensors.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.